Thermotherapy splint adapted for the breasts of a wearer

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermotherapy splint comprising two sheaths (1a), each intended to be placed around one breast of the wearer, and incorporating a gel with thermal properties adapted for thermotherapeutic treatment. Each sheath (1a) comprises two lateral panels (2a, 2b) connected at the top by a bridge (3). An inner lateral edge of one sheath (1a) is equipped with means (14) for its reversible attachment to the other sheath. The splint further comprises a dorsal strap with two free ends, each provided on its inner face with means for reversibly attaching to an outer face of a lateral panel (2a, 2b) of one sheath (1a), respectively. Figure 1a

Description

Title of the invention: Thermotherapy splint adapted for the breasts of a wearer

[0001] The invention relates to a thermotherapy splint for a part of the body of a wearer, in particular for post-traumatic or post-operative treatment.

[0002] Thermotherapy splints are known comprising at least one sheath which is intended to be placed around the part of the body to be treated, in particular by being compressible around said part of the body, and which furthermore incorporates a gel which has thermal properties suitable for applying a thermo-therapeutic treatment to said part of the body.

[0003] The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing a splint designed to be placed around the breasts of a human wearer, and this thanks to holding means adapted to allow the sheath(s) to match the morphology of said breasts, in order to guarantee a homogeneous thermo-therapeutic treatment on all of said breasts.

[0004] To this end, the invention proposes a thermotherapy splint comprising two sheaths each intended to be arranged around a breast of the wearer, each sheath incorporating a gel which has thermal properties suitable for applying a thermotherapeutic treatment to said breast, each sheath comprising two substantially vertical lateral panels, respectively internal and external, each intended to be arranged on either side of a breast, said panels being connected in the upper part by a substantially horizontal bridge intended to be arranged above said breast, an internal lateral edge of a sheath being equipped with means to allow its reversible attachment to the other sheath when the sheaths are arranged around the breasts of the wearer, said splint further comprising a dorsal strap for holding said sheaths on the breasts, said strap being arranged to cover a part of the wearer's back located at the same height as the breasts,said strap further comprising two free ends each provided on their inner face with reversible fixing means on an outer face of a side panel of a sheath respectively.

[0005] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, given with reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0006] [Fig.la] and

[0007] [Fig. 1b] represent, in a partially transparent manner, a sheath for the left breast of a splint according to the invention, said sheath being in a folded configuration on its inner face and with its outer face visible;

[0008] [Fig.2a] and

[0009] [Fig.2b] represent a sheath for the right breast of this same splint, according to views similar to those of figures 1a and 1b;

[0010] [Fig.3a] and

[0011] [Fig.3b] represent different means for maintaining the sheaths of the figures pre preceding on the breasts of a wearer, including a back strap ([Fig.3a]) and a longitudinal extension piece of said back strap ([Fig.3b]).

[0012] In relation to these figures, a thermotherapy splint is described below comprising two sheaths 1a, 1b each intended to be placed around a breast of the wearer, in particular by being compressible around said breasts.

[0013] Each sheath 1a, 1b incorporates a gel which has thermal properties suitable for applying a thermo-therapeutic treatment to the breast which it covers, in order to relieve, by variation in temperature, pain following an injury and / or a surgical operation.

[0014] The splint is particularly suitable for applying thermo-therapeutic treatment following breast surgery on one of the wearer's breasts (unilateral) or on both breasts (bilateral), for example breast reduction or breast augmentation surgery (insertion of prostheses and / or fat injection), gynecomastia surgery, whether or not associated with peripheral liposuction, certain breast reconstruction surgeries, or after partial (lumpectomy) or total (mastectomy) removal of one or both breasts.

[0015] The splint is also suitable for applying thermo-therapeutic treatment to relieve pain due to hormonal variations or breast pathologies, such as for example mastodynia on fibrocystic mastosis and / or in the premenstrual period, breast engorgement, as well as breast infections, in particular in addition to antibiotic and / or local treatment prescribed by a doctor.

[0016] In particular, cold treatment (cryotherapy) can reduce the diameter of blood vessels, and thus reduce swelling, hematomas and inflammation. Such treatment thus provides analgesic, anti-edematous and anti-hemorrhagic effects.

[0017] Conversely, heat treatment helps dilate blood vessels, thus facilitating blood circulation, but also facilitating muscle relaxation. This treatment is particularly suitable for relieving chronic pain.

[0018] Advantageously, the sheaths 1a, 1b incorporate a thermal gel which is suitable for both cold and heat treatments, which allows the splint to be used throughout the recovery period following trauma and / or an operation.

[0019] To do this, the thermal gel includes: - between 10 and 25% by weight of propylene glycol as a thermal agent; - between 1 and 5% by weight of hydroxyethylcellulose as a thickening and texturizing agent; - between 0 and 3% by weight of triethanolamine as a carbomer neutralizing agent and / or pH compensating agent; - the salt water supplement.

[0020] The use of propylene glycol proves to be particularly interesting, in that this component has heat-transfer properties, in particular when it is in the aqueous state. In addition, the addition of a glycol to an aqueous formulation makes it possible to lower its freezing point, which makes it possible to limit the hardening of the thermal gel when it is subjected to low temperatures, for example when it is placed in a freezer for a cryotherapy treatment.

[0021] In particular, the proportions of propylene glycol in the thermal gel allow it to be cooled without hardening, which allows the splint to be used immediately after said gel has cooled, without any hard areas remaining which could cause pain and / or discomfort to the wearer.

[0022] Hydroxyethylcellulose allows the viscosity of the gel to be modulated, and also has film-forming properties, which makes it possible to form a protective barrier on the surface of said gel, in order to maintain for a prolonged period the thermal effects provided by said gel at the contact surface of the sheaths with the breasts. This component also acts as a stabilizing agent, which makes it possible to stabilize the composition of the gel and increase its shelf life.

[0023] Triethanolamine (TEA) is a basic component known for preparing gels, in that it makes it possible to complement the gelling action of carbomers which are generally used to thicken these formulations. This component is also particularly interesting due to its pH compensation properties.

[0024] The formulation presented makes it possible to obtain a thermal gel with a viscosity of between 35,000 and 55,000 centipoise (cP) at 25°C, as well as a pH of between 6 and 7. It also allows the gel to cool very quickly when placed in a freezer, with a temperature drop to -20°C after less than 5 minutes, then to maintain a temperature below 0°C for approximately 50 minutes, before stabilizing at a temperature of between 17 and 18°C ​​after approximately 90 minutes.

[0025] The thermal gel may also comprise additional components, depending on the desired properties. In particular, the thermal gel may comprise a coloring agent to give it an aesthetic appearance related to its use, for example a blue-colored dye for use for cryotherapy purposes (cold treatment).

[0026] Each sheath 1a, 1b comprises two substantially vertical lateral panels, respectively internal 2a and external 2b, intended to be arranged each on either side of a breast of the wearer, said panels being connected in the upper part by a substantially horizontal bridge 3 intended to be arranged above said breast.

[0027] The sheaths 1a, 1b both have dimensions large enough to allow them to cover substantially the entire front part of the wearer's torso, in order to be able to apply a thermo-therapeutic treatment over a wider surface area. In particular, the sheaths 1a, 1b have a height of the order of 25 centimeters and a width of the order of 30 centimeters.

[0028] In the description, the terms of positioning in space are taken with reference to the position of the splint worn by the wearer. Thus: - the terms “internal” and “external” relate to an arrangement by a median sagittal plane passing through the wearer’s body, and relate to an arrangement respectively close to and far from said plane; - the terms “interior” and “exterior” relate to a disposition relative to the wearer’s body, and relate to a disposition respectively close to and far from said body.

[0029] Each sheath 1a, 1b comprises a central recess 4 for receiving the areola of a breast, the lateral panels 2a, 2b and the upper bridge 3 coming respectively from either side and above said areola.

[0030] Each sheath 1a, 1b further comprises a concave upper imprint 5 formed on its outer upper corner, said imprint being arranged to be disposed around the front part of the shoulder adjacent to the breast that said sheath is intended to cover.

[0031] The thermal gel is arranged in at least two compartments 6a, 6b of each sheath 1a, 1b to be arranged around a breast of the wearer. Thus, the distribution of the gel around the breast is improved, which makes it possible to apply a thermotherapeutic treatment homogeneously over the entire surface of said breast surrounded by the sheath 1a, 1b.

[0032] In relation to the figures, each sheath 1a, 1b comprises two lateral compartments 6a each formed in a lateral panel 2a, 2b respectively, as well as an upper compartment 6b formed in the upper bridge 3, each compartment 6a, 6b each containing a portion of thermal gel. This arrangement ensures that a portion of thermal gel remains above and on each side of the breast.

[0033] In the embodiment shown, each sheath 1a, 1b comprises an envelope comprising two outer 7 and inner 8 layers of textile material, which are joined by seams 9 along their respective peripheries, the compartments 6a, 6b of thermal gel being formed between said inner and outer layers.

[0034] In particular, the sheaths 1a, 1b may comprise an inner layer 8 in polyamide (Nylon®) soaked in polyurethane (PU) or any other suitable substitute material, intended to come into direct contact with the wearer's breast, as well as an opposite outer layer 7 based on a brushed mesh with a polyester or polyamide base.

[0035] The sheaths 1a, 1b further comprise at least two intermediate layers 10 (shown in transparency in figures 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b), these intermediate layers 10 being made of plastic material, for example based on a polyurethane (PU) film, and being arranged between the textile layers 7, 8 and associated at their peripheries via a common welding strip 11, the thermal gel compartments 6a, 6b being arranged between said intermediate layers.

[0036] In the embodiment shown, the intermediate layers 10 are also associated at their peripheries with the inner 8 and outer 7 layers via the seam 9 and a bonding strip 12 extending between said seam and the peripheral weld 11.

[0037] In Figures 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b, the intermediate layers 10 are further welded together along at least one line 13 to form at least two compartments 6a, 6b for receiving a portion of thermal gel respectively.

[0038] In the embodiment shown, the compartments 6a, 6b are arranged to each receive a portion directly in the form of gel. To do this, the intermediate layers 10 can be reinforced, for example by internal coating of a suitable product, to be able to receive gel in a sealed manner, in particular to prevent gel leaks between two compartments 6a, 6b and / or outside the sheaths 1a, 1b.

[0039] According to variants not shown: - the compartments 6a, 6b can be arranged to each receive a pocket in which a portion of thermal gel is packaged, the pockets being made of a waterproof material that is sufficiently strong to be able to deform under the effect of the pressure exerted by the sheath 1a, 1b when it is compressed around the breast, while avoiding their rupture and leaks of gel inside their respective compartment 6a, 6b; - the intermediate layers 10 are welded together only at their peripheries, so as to form a space for receiving three pockets in each of which a portion of thermal gel is packaged, said pockets each being arranged in a side panel 2a, 2b and the upper deck 3 respectively, so as to each form a compartment 6a, 6b of thermal gel within said space.

[0040] In these variants, each compartment or the single space may have at least one closable opening formed in the sheath 1a, 1b, for example by punctual interruption of the seams 9 and the gluing and welding strips 11, 12 and / or by means of Velcro® type self-gripping devices, in order to allow insertion and removal a thermal gel pack, for example to replace said pack with a previously cooled or heated pack, depending on the treatment chosen.

[0041] An internal lateral edge 14 of a sheath 1a, 1b is equipped with means 15 to allow its reversible attachment to the other sheath 1a, 1b when the sheaths 1a, 1b are arranged around the breasts of the wearer, in order to prevent said sheaths from slipping off said breasts when said wearer lies on his back to use said splint.

[0042] To do this, the internal lateral edge 14 of one of the sheaths 1a, 1b, for example the sheath 1a for the left breast in the figures, is equipped with gripping strips 15, for example of the Velcro® type, intended to engage on complementary textile means formed on the external face of the other sheath 1b.

[0043] In particular, the left sheath 1a comprises two gripping strips 15 each associated with the internal edge of the internal panel 2a and the upper bridge 3 respectively, in order to allow the sheaths 1a, 1b to be associated over their entire height.

[0044] Furthermore, the outer layer 7 of brushed mesh makes it possible to form complementary fixing means over the entire surface of the straight sheath 1b, which allows the wearer to easily secure the sheaths 1a, 1b, in particular when he does not have the benefit of a third party helper, and in a manner adapted to his morphology.

[0045] The splint further comprises a back strap 16 for holding, and possibly compressing the sheaths 1a, 1b on the breasts of the wearer, said strap being arranged to cover a part of the back of the wearer located at the same height as the breasts of said wearer, said strap further comprising two free ends 17 each provided on their inner face with means 18 for reversible attachment to an outer face of a lateral panel 2a, 2b of respectively a sheath 1a, 1b.

[0046] In particular, the wearer or a third party helping can fix the ends 17 of the strap 16 on one of the internal 2a or external 2b sides of each sheath 1a, 1b, according to the morphology of said wearer.

[0047] Each free end 17 is equipped with gripping means 18, for example a strip of Velcro® type hooks, formed on the inner face 19 of the back strap 16, and intended to engage on complementary textile means formed on an outer face of a side panel 2a, 2b of respectively a sheath 1a, 1b.

[0048] As indicated previously, the outer layer 7 of brushed mesh makes it possible to form complementary means over the entire outer surface of each of the side panels 2a, 2b of the sheaths 1a, 1b, in order to facilitate the attachment to them of the means 18, and therefore of the strap 16, whatever the morphology of the wearer.

[0049] The back strap 16 comprises two openings 20 each formed along a free end 17 respectively, said openings being arranged to allow the passage therethrough of a hand of the wearer, in order to facilitate the grasping of said end by said wearer or a third party helping when said wearer puts on the splint.

[0050] In relation to [Fig.3a], the openings 20 each have an oblong shape, in particular trapezoidal, which has a long dimension sufficient to allow an adult wearer to pass four of his joined fingers (except the thumb) therein, in order to be able to reliably grasp the ends 17 of the strap 16. In particular, each gripping means 18 is arranged around an opening 17.

[0051] The splint further comprises a piece 21 for longitudinal extension of the dorsal strap 16, which can be optionally and removably associated with said strap if the wearer has a significant build.

[0052] This part 21 has a rectangular geometry with a first lateral end 22 provided on its outer face with reversible fixing means arranged to cooperate with the internal reversible fixing means 18 of a free end 17 of the dorsal strap 16, as well as a second opposite lateral end 23 which comprises reversible fixing means 24 on an outer face of the adjacent sheath 1a, 1b.

[0053] In [Fig.3b], the free end 23 intended to be fixed on a sheath 1a, 1b comprises a structure similar to that of the free ends 17 of the dorsal strap 16, in order to replace the end 17 on which it is associated to extend the length of said strap.

[0054] Thus, the extension piece 21 comprises an opening 25 formed along this free end 23, in particular by being surrounded by the means 24 for reversible attachment to a sheath 1a, 1b, this opening 25 being arranged to allow the passage through it of a hand of the wearer, in order to facilitate the grasping thereof by said wearer or a third party helping when said wearer puts on the splint with said extension piece.

[0055] In particular, the outer face of the extension piece 21 may be covered, at least at the level of its end 22 of association with the strap 16, or even in its entirety, with a textile layer in brushed mesh, in order to allow the Velcro® hooks 18 equipping the ends 17 of said strap to be attached to it.

[0056] Advantageously, each sheath 1a, 1b has an outer face entirely covered with a textile material, in particular a layer 7 of brushed mesh as described previously, to allow the association on it of the gripping means 18, 24 formed respectively on the free ends 17 of the dorsal strap 16, on the free end 23 of the extension piece 21 and on the fixing strips 15 associated with the sheath 1a for the left breast. Thus, the splint is simpler to use, in particular for an injured wearer who has to put it on without the help of a third party.

[0057] To use the splint for cryotherapy purposes, the sheaths 1a, 1b may be placed in a freezer, at a temperature between -22°C and -18°C, for approximately 8 hours. For this purpose, the splint may be marketed with a hermetic bag adapted to receive the sheaths 1a, 1b, in order to preserve said sheaths from humidity and to avoid any contact with other products, particularly food, which may be stored simultaneously in the said freezer.

[0058] In the case where the splint is equipped with removable gel pockets, said pockets can be extracted from the sheaths 1a, 1b to be placed in the freezer for the recommended duration and within the recommended temperature range, in particular by being placed in the airtight bag described above.

[0059] When using the splint, the sheaths 1a, 1b can be removed from the freezer and then massaged over their entire surface, in order to ensure good distribution of the gel in their compartments. Such an operation can also be carried out with sheaths 1a, 1b equipped with removable gel pockets, by replacing said pockets in their compartments 6a, 6b or in the space(s) provided for this purpose, in order to avoid direct contact of said refrigerated pockets with the hands of the wearer or a third party helping.

[0060] Each sheath 1a, 1b is then placed on each breast of the wearer, arranging its central recess 4 around the areola and the parts 2a, 2b, 3 respectively around and above said breast, then held on said breast by means of the dorsal strap 16.

[0061] To avoid direct contact between the sheaths 1a, 1b and the wearer's skin, and thus avoid any risk of burning from the cold, said sheaths can in particular be worn over a shaping and / or compressive garment, for example a post-operative compressive bra, or a protective fabric placed on said skin.

[0062] To put on the splint, the wearer or a third party helping person begins by placing the back strap 16 flat on a support, for example on a bed or a sofa, with its inner face 19, and therefore the gripping means 18, facing upwards.

[0063] If necessary, the wearer or the third party helping can increase the length of the strap 16 by adding the extension piece 21 to it, by arranging said piece along one end 17 of said strap according to the desired length extension, then by securing the gripping means 18 of said strap end to the outer face of said extension piece.

[0064] Then, the wearer lies down on the strap 16 so as to place on it the part of his back located at the same height as his breasts.

[0065] The wearer or the third party helping first places the adapted sheath 1b on the right breast of said wearer thus lying down, by placing the areola of said right breast in the central recess 4, then by placing the side panels 2a, 2b and the upper bridge 3 respectively on either side and above said right breast.

[0066] The wearer or the third party helping then proceeds in the same way with the sheath 1a adapted to the left breast, then secures the sheaths 1a, 1b by fixing the gripping strips 15 of the left sheath 1a on the outer layer 7 of the right sheath 1b, according to the morphology of the wearer.

[0067] Finally, the wearer or the third party helping grasps the free ends 17, 23 of the strap 16 and / or of the extension piece 21, by passing his hands through each of the openings 20, 25, then exerts traction on each of said ends to be able to fix them on a lateral panel 2a, 2b of the adjacent sheath 1a, 1b, according to a dimension adapted to the morphology of the wearer.

[0068] For optimal results, the wearer may in particular remain lying down throughout the treatment session, during which the sheaths 1a, 1b may remain in place for a maximum of 20 minutes, in order to avoid prolonged exposure to the cold.

[0069] At the end, the wearer or the third party helping can remove the sheaths 1a, 1b, in particular to replace them in the freezer for a subsequent treatment session.

Claims

Claims

1. Thermotherapy splint comprising two sheaths (1a, 1b) each intended to be arranged around a breast of the wearer, each sheath (1a, 1b) incorporating a gel which has thermal properties suitable for applying a thermotherapeutic treatment to said breast, each sheath comprising two substantially vertical lateral panels, respectively internal (2a) and external (2b), each intended to be arranged on either side of a breast, said panels being connected in the upper part by a substantially horizontal bridge (3) intended to be arranged above said breast, an internal lateral edge of a sheath (1a) being equipped with means (14) to allow its reversible attachment to the other sheath (1b) when the sheaths (1a, 1b) are arranged around the breasts of the wearer, said splint further comprising a dorsal strap (16) for holding said sheaths on the breasts,said strap being arranged to cover a part of the wearer's back located at the same height as the breasts, said strap further comprising two free ends (16) each provided on their inner face with means (18) for reversible attachment to an outer face of a lateral panel (2a, 2b) of a sheath (1a, 1b) respectively.,

2. Thermotherapy splint according to claim 1, characterized in that each free end (17) of the back strap (16) is equipped with gripping means (18) formed on an inner face (19) of said back strap, and intended to engage on complementary textile means (7) formed on an outer face of a lateral panel (2a, 2b) of respectively a sheath (1a, 1b).

3. Thermotherapy splint according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the back strap (16) comprises two openings (20) each formed along a free end (17) respectively, said openings being arranged to allow the passage therethrough of a hand, in order to facilitate the gripping of said end when said splint is put on by the wearer.

4. Thermotherapy splint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises a piece (21) for longitudinal extension of the dorsal strap (16), said piece having a rectangular geometry with a first lateral end (22) provided on its outer face with reversible fixing means arranged to cooperate with the means (18) for re- fixing reversible interiors of a free end (17) of said back strap, as well as a second opposite lateral end (23) comprising reversible fixing means (24) on an external face of the adjacent sheath (la, 1b).

5. Thermotherapy splint according to claim 4, characterized in that the extension piece (21) comprises an opening (25) formed along its lateral end (23) carrying the means (24) for reversible attachment to a sheath (1a, 1b), said opening being arranged to allow the passage therethrough of a hand, in order to facilitate the gripping of said lateral end when said splint is coated by the wearer with said extension piece.

6. Thermotherapy splint according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the internal lateral edge (14) of one of the sheaths (1a) is equipped with gripping strips (15) intended to engage on complementary textile means (7) formed on an external face of the other sheath (1b).

7. Thermotherapy splint according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each sheath (1a, 1b) has an outer face which is entirely covered with a textile material (7) arranged to allow the association on it of gripping means (18, 24) formed on a free end (17, 23) of the dorsal strap (16) and / or of a possible extension part (21) of said dorsal strap and / or of possible gripping means (15) integral with the other sheath (1a, 1b).

8. Thermotherapy splint according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each sheath (1a, 1b) comprises a central recess (4) for receiving the areola of respectively one breast of the wearer.

9. Thermotherapy splint according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the gel is arranged in at least two compartments (6a, 6b) of each sheath (1a, 1b) to be arranged around a breast of the wearer.

10. Thermotherapy splint according to claim 9, characterized in that each sheath (1a, 1b) comprises two lateral compartments (6a) each formed in a lateral panel (2a, 2b) and an upper compartment (6b) formed in the upper bridge (3), each compartment (6a, 6b) containing a portion of thermal gel.

11. Thermotherapy splint according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the gel comprises: - between 10 and 25% by weight of propylene glycol as a thermal agent; - between 1 and 5% by weight of hydroxyethylcellulose as a thickening and texturizing agent; - between 0 and 3% by weight of triethanolamine as a carbomer neutralizing agent and / or pH compensating agent; - the balance in salt water.

12. Thermotherapy splint according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that each sheath (1a, 1b) is compressible around a breast, the dorsal strap (16) being arranged to ensure said compression.

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